The Impact of Virtual Reality Rehabilitation on Balance and Gait in Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This thesis investigates the impact of virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation on balance and gait in stroke survivors through a randomized controlled trial. Stroke survivors often experience impairments in balance and gait, which can significantly impact their ability to perform daily activities and lead to decreased quality of life. Traditional physiotherapy approaches have shown some benefits in improving these impairments, but there is a growing interest in exploring the use of VR technology as a novel rehabilitation tool. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of VR rehabilitation in improving balance and gait outcomes compared to traditional physiotherapy interventions among stroke survivors. A randomized controlled trial design will be employed, with participants randomly assigned to either a VR rehabilitation group or a traditional physiotherapy group. The VR rehabilitation group will engage in interactive and immersive VR activities specifically designed to target balance and gait training, while the traditional physiotherapy group will receive standard physical therapy sessions. The literature review highlights the existing evidence supporting the use of VR technology in rehabilitation, particularly in improving balance, gait, and overall functional outcomes in various patient populations. The methodology section outlines the study design, participant recruitment and selection criteria, intervention protocols, outcome measures, data collection procedures, and statistical analysis plan. The discussion of findings section presents the results of the randomized controlled trial, including comparisons of balance and gait outcomes between the VR rehabilitation group and the traditional physiotherapy group. The findings of this study will provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of VR rehabilitation in enhancing balance and gait outcomes in stroke survivors. The implications of the results for clinical practice, future research directions, and the broader field of physiotherapy will be discussed. Overall, this research contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the integration of VR technology into rehabilitation programs for stroke survivors to optimize functional recovery and improve quality of life.